Berkshire Hathaway trims Apple stake as Warren Buffett steps down

In a significant shift for both Berkshire Hathaway and Apple investors, Warren Buffett's legendary investment firm has once again reduced its massive stake in Apple while Buffett officially steps down from leadership at age 95. The moves, disclosed in SEC filings this week, mark the end of an era for one of the most successful investor-company relationships in modern business history.

Berkshire Hathaway sold approximately 4% of its Apple shares during the final quarter of 2025, though Apple remains the conglomerate's largest holding at roughly $62 billion. This reduction continues a trend that began in 2023 when Berkshire first began trimming its Apple position, which at its peak exceeded 915 million shares worth approximately $174 billion.

Buffett's retirement and succession

The timing of these transactions is particularly noteworthy as they occurred during the final quarter of Buffett's tenure as Berkshire's CEO. The 95-year-old investor, who has led Berkshire since 1965, announced his retirement last year, with Greg Abel assuming the CEO role on January 1, 2026.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who developed a close relationship with Buffett over the years, paid tribute to the investor when his retirement was announced: "There's never been someone like Warren, and countless people, myself included, have been inspired by his wisdom. It's been one of the great privileges of my life to know him. And there's no question that Warren is leaving Berkshire in great hands with Greg."

The Apple investment legacy

Berkshire's relationship with Apple represents one of Buffett's most successful investments. The firm began accumulating Apple shares in 2016, marking a significant departure from Buffett's traditional avoidance of technology stocks. The investment proved extraordinarily profitable, with Buffett himself joking in a previous interview that "Tim Cook has made Berkshire a lot more money than I've ever made."

Apple's position in Berkshire's portfolio grew to represent over 50% of the firm's holdings at its peak. The stock's consistent performance and Apple's strong cash flows aligned perfectly with Buffett's value investing philosophy, even in the technology sector.

New investments and portfolio shifts

Alongside the Apple reduction, Berkshire Hathaway made several notable portfolio adjustments in Q4 2025. Most prominently, the firm acquired 5.07 million shares of the New York Times, marking a return to the newspaper business for Berkshire. This $350 million investment represents a significant vote of confidence in traditional media at a time when many investors remain skeptical of the industry's future.

Berkshire also reduced its stake in Amazon during the same period, suggesting a broader portfolio rebalancing rather than a specific change in sentiment toward Apple. The SEC filing does not specify whether these investment decisions were made by Buffett, his successor Greg Abel, or portfolio manager Ted Weschler.

Market implications

The reduction in Berkshire's Apple stake, while notable, represents a relatively modest 4% trim of an already massive position. At $62 billion, Apple remains by far Berkshire's largest holding, underscoring the company's continued importance to the investment firm's strategy.

For Apple investors, the news is unlikely to cause significant concern. Berkshire's continued large position demonstrates ongoing confidence in the company, even as the firm diversifies its holdings. The investment's success has been so substantial that even a partial reduction leaves Berkshire with a position of historic significance.

Looking ahead

With Buffett's retirement, all eyes are on Greg Abel and how he will manage Berkshire's massive investment portfolio. The Q4 2025 transactions provide the first public glimpse into this transition, showing a willingness to both trim successful positions and make new investments in traditional industries like newspapers.

The Apple relationship, which began as a bold departure from Buffett's typical investment approach, has become one of the defining investments of his career. As Berkshire enters a new era under Abel's leadership, the question remains whether the firm will continue to hold such a massive position in a single technology company or pursue a more diversified approach.

The timing of these moves—coinciding with Buffett's retirement—adds historical significance to what might otherwise be viewed as routine portfolio adjustments. For Apple, the continued support of Berkshire Hathaway, even in a reduced capacity, remains a powerful endorsement from the world's most famous investor.